I am a communications professional, researcher, and media trainer with a global perspective. Over the course of more than a decade, I have lived, studied and worked in Karachi, London and Hong Kong.
My research has focused on the intricate relationship between mainstream opposition groups and the media environment in Pakistan. I have presented my work at the well regarded International Communication Association and European Communication Research and Education conferences. Additionally, my work is published in reputable journals, Media Asia and Interface: A journal for and about social movements, The Left Berlin, and various esteemed news organizations, The News, Livewire (thewire.in), The News on Sunday and The Eastern Eye.
I am a volunteer reviewer for the International Communication Association conference and the journal Media Asia. I’m also on the jury of Agahi Awards which is Pakistan’s only indigenous award recognising journalism excellence.
I am currently Assistant Professor in the media department at the Institute of Business Management (IOBM) in Karachi, Pakistan. Prior to joining the Institute I worked as a part-time lecturer and research associate in the School of Communication at the Hong Kong Baptist University. I have also worked for The News, Ahmed E.H Jaffer Foundation and Brandsynario.com. I received an MA in Journalism and Media Communications at the University of Hertfordshire and a PhD from the Hong Kong Baptist University.
Current research interests
My research is in the multidisciplinary fields of contentious collective action, journalism and mediatization. I am currently pursuing the following research lines in the order of priority:
1. Protests tactics in the Global South and what they tell us about contemporary populism.
2. Content analysis of television journalism in South Asia and conceptualising Pakistan media system.
3. Application of media literacy projects in Southern contexts.
4. Understanding Pakistan’s social media logic through political party campaigns.
5. Critical analysis of creative industries in the global south.
Research highlights
Based on an in-depth examination of credible news reports and interviews of key informants my fully funded PhD research examines how mainstream opposition groups in Pakistan have evolved their protest tactics with the changes in the news media environment. Check out this 15-min graphic presentation on the old and the new in Naya Pakistan. Open access to the complete dissertation, or abstract and bibliography is here.
As the focal person from Greenwich University Karachi for the International Media Conference 2022 on the Post-Truth Era I led my team to, among other tasks, successfully host all online panels for scholars who couldn’t make it to Pakistan. The University’s collaboration with Karachi University media school, the conference convener, helped turned this rare two day academic conference into a hybrid event. Check out the complete event coverage here.
In this critical essay for a special issue of Interface, republished in The Left Berlin, on struggles around COVID-19 I describe the logic behind some controversial posters and slogans of Pakistan’s flagship #metoo movement, what they mean for Pakistan’s changing media political context and ultimately hopefully what such activism can reveal about Muslim women movements elsewhere. Click here for a free copy. Check out my own viral posters below.
Based on interviews of editors at Daily Dawn and other media experts, I prepared a teaching case study on Pakistan’s newspaper of records, as part of a project on editorial best practices among Asian news organizations supported by the Hong Kong Government. Click here for a copy.
Original news reporting
For my very first by-line I reported on the local community concerns for the relocation of the iconic skating park in South Bank, London for The Eastern Eye newspaper. Click image for the full story.
In this story for The Eastern Eye, I spoke to the extras regarding their motivations for taking on minor roles on the set of a major commercial film Amar, Akbar & Tony (2015). Click image for the full story.
I covered the graduation ceremony for an English language scholarship program for lesser privileged youth organised by the Pakistan American Cultural Center in Karachi in The News. Click here for the full story.
Teaching highlights
Strategic Communications, Media History, News Writing, Digital Marketing Basics and Media Research Methods. I can also teach special topics on Pakistan media industry, political communication, advocacy and social change modules. Have a look at my teaching evaluations in the Reach Out section.
Research Impact
صحافت (means ‘journalism’ in English) and نشیں (loosely means ‘occupy’ in English). This invented word signifies those who are involved in journalism or who do journalism. It accounts for the diversity of journalism that exist today – including but not limited to legacy media. It is also the title of the Instagram page where my students post their class projects.
Journalists are essential for an informed public debate. However, faculty, students, subject experts and other members of civil society also contribute to journalism. In this context, my workshops aim to impart critical media literacy skills. Click here to learn about a workshop I did at the Center for Excellence in Journalism.
Invited talks
I spoke at a panel on the Roles and Responsibilities of Local Body Journalists organised by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. We discussed the complex issues of Karachi city and the challenges for journalists covering those issues. Students, journalists, educators and members of the civic society attended the event.
What are the primary ingredients that a society needs to keep its fabric intact? Can we afford to ignore civic and democratic education? I was invited in panel discussion on this topic at a workshop organised by the Center for Research & Security Studies. Catch the full discussion here.
At the strategic roundtable on ‘Emerging Trends in Media Education’ held on 26th May in Bahria University Karachi we discussed the state of play of imparting media literacy in Pakistan. Read a summary some of our observations here.
I was invited in a discussion on religious tolerance with the talented media students of University of Karachi. Dr. Umair Mahmood Siddiqui, a member of Council of Islamic Ideology also participated in the event.
I was invited by the Art Concept collective of academics and artists based in Bahrain to speak on misinformation in the age of media abundance. Watch the full discussion here.
Opinion pieces and book review in the press
In this Op-ed for the Livewire, I discuss the issue of social cohesion in Pakistan as a collective action problem. Issues like tax compliance and solutions are suggested. Image: Ali Rizvi on unsplash.
My views on Islamophobia in Pakistan for the Livewire. Image: Photo by أخٌفيالله on Unsplash
In this Op-ed for The News, I suggest the possibility of matching the terms of elected governments in Pakistan and its appointed Chief of Army Staff to four years.
For The News on Sunday, I review my thesis advisor’s book in which he exposes the strategic use of religious hate propaganda for political gains. He emphasizes “offence-taking” as a manipulative tool, coupled with the recognized “offence-giving” hate speech, creating a dual-edged concept called Hate Spin. Read it here.
Viral posters on Aurat March
My poster performance at the 2020 Aurat March rally gained widespread attention on social media and even appeared in Diva Magazine. This performance was a protest tactic, challenging patriarchal notions of morality. It also used traditional Muslim attire from South Asia to create the image of a religious sermon, but from a Left perspective. The imagery aimed to challenge the religious-secular binary in discussions about Islam and women’s rights.
My poster performance received traction again in 2021 and this time it was also posted by movement organizers on their verified accounts. The poster was inspired by the documentary titled ‘Feminists Insha’allah! The Story of Arab Feminism’, Java Films Production. The documentary was also screened at the International Communication Association regional conference in the Middle East. The movement was instrumental for me to understand the impact of media on Pakistani society. Learn more about it here.
How can I help you?
I am available for talks, workshops and seminars for diverse audiences including in schools and corporate settings. I can also help you in preparing research grants, writing proposals and consultation on research projects. In addition, I am always on the lookout for experts on similar subjects, specially for guest lectures in my classroom.
Get In Touch
Dr Ayaz Ahmed Siddiqui 